News Sites Lose Reach After Facebook Removes ‘News’ Tabs
By Movieguide® Contributor
Some news outlets are suffering due to Facebook’s decision to remove the “News” tab from its platform.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, announced in September that they would remove the news viewing option from the platform’s French, German and UK accounts in December.
Meta said, “This is part of an ongoing effort to better align our investments to our products and services people value the most. As a company, we have to focus our time and resources on things people tell us they want to see more of on the platform, including short form video. We know that people don’t come to Facebook for news and political content – they come to connect with people and discover new opportunities, passions and interests.”
Due to this decision, publications like Mother Jones are taking a hit. Monika Bauerlein, CEO of Mother Jones, said the website used to have 5 million monthly visitors, but that changed after Facebook’s new policy was enacted.
“Mother Jones has seen a 99% drop in Facebook referrals since its peak,” CNBC shared.
Bauerlein said, “At this point, it seems pretty clear from the comments that executives at Facebook and Meta made that they have just decided that news is more trouble than it’s worth and that they will show people a fairly minimal amount of it.”
Europe isn’t the only place where Facebook News has been removed.
Wired reported, “First, there was a multiday standoff with the Australian government on news payments, followed by the quiet removal of a revenue-sharing News tab from Facebook in the US. And then came an all-out news link ban in Canada.”
Instead of news, Meta wants to focus more on short-form content. CNBC said, “The company added that it plans to spend more time and money on short-form video, as best exemplified by its TikTok-like Reels product. News represents less than 3% of what people see in their Facebook feeds, Meta said.”
Movieguide® previously reported on another Meta policy that allows the company to track its users:
Meta recently released a new feature that allows the tech giant to track its users more easily.
The Link History feature stores a list of websites visited on the Facebook Mobile Browser within the last 30 days.
Per Fox News, “Meta’s Link History setting collects the links you’ve clicked on within the Facebook app. This is limited to links you accessed within Facebook’s browser, which automatically pops up when you click on a link within the Facebook app. You can then view all the links you’ve clicked on and then revisit those links, which will reopen in Facebook’s browser.”
While Meta rolled out this feature for convenience, users realize that it is just another way the company can track their information.
PCMag noted, “Meta doesn’t just have access to your activity when you use Facebook and Instagram. It also knows what you do when you navigate away from its social apps and websites.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
